Rebels defeat Hitmen, spoil Teddy Bear Toss partyBack to video

“It wasn’t our best game, but I thought we stuck with it pretty well,” said Focht, whose goal 94 seconds into the contest prompted the 17,346 fans in attendance at the Scotiabank Saddledome to litter the ice with 25,025 stuffed toys. “I think it’s a really special goal. We talked a lot about it, maybe too much, just putting the pressure on ourselves like we do every year.”

On his first shift of the game, Focht tipped Jackson van de Leest’s point shot past Red Deer goalie Byron Fancy to prompt the avalanche of furry friends.

“My linemates, we joked about getting it first shift,” Focht said. “I think it just started with a good hard-working shift. We had a good entry and then (the puck) went up to the point. It was a shot from the point and I tried battling to get in front and I was able to tip it in.”

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Despite the OT loss, Hitmen coach Steve Hamilton was pleased to see Focht score such a memorable goal in front of so many fans.

“It was a great start,” Hamilton said. “Certainly a really nice, skilled play for Carson to get a tip on that puck. The support of the Calgary fans is unbelievable. It’s such a special event and obviously in Calgary it’s an event and well supported again and certainly we appreciate that.”

Riley Stotts also scored for the Hitmen (14-7-4), while goalie Jack McNaughton finished with 22 saves.

Joel Sexsmith and Cameron Hausinger also scored for the Rebels (8-15-3), while Fancy stopped 29 of 31 shots he faced.

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After about a 45-minute delay to collect all the plush donations and re-flood the ice, play resumed with both teams unable to generate any offence until the third period.

“You’ve still got to recapture that energy you had in that first minute and a half and we didn’t do a very good job of that,” Hamilton said.

Stotts gave the Hitmen some life 46 seconds into the final frame when he took a nice breakaway pass from linemate Jonas Peterek before skating into the Red Deer and lifting a backhand shot over Fancy’s left pad and into the net.

Sexsmith then scored his first career WHL goal at 2:04 before Hausinger backhanded a loose puck in the slot past McNaughton at 7:12 to force the extra session.

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Focht had a great chance to win the game for the Hitmen early in OT when he took a pass from Egor Zamula and fired a shot on net that Fancy was able to corral.

“It was a good pass by Z,” Focht said. “I just wanted to get it off as quick as possible, far side. It was trickling a bit, but he was able to squeeze it.”

A short time later, Tarzwell sped down his right wing and wired a shot to the top corner, glove side past McNaughton to earn the visitors the come-from-behind victory.

“I think there was a lot of emotions tonight with the event,” Focht said. “I think we’ve got to do a better job of just honing those in and focusing back on our game.”

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After playing three games in three days from Friday to Sunday, the Hitmen will do it all over again next weekend. They’ll host the Edmonton Oil Kings at the Saddledome on Friday (7 p.m.) before the same two teams do battle in the Alberta capital city the next night. The Hitmen will then welcome the Everett Silvertips to the Dome on Sunday (4 p.m.).

“The guys will have a day off (from practising on Monday) and come back to the rink on Tuesday and prepare,” Hamilton said. “It’s a busy time. Three-in-three’s are a lot and the travel’s really a lot.”

After helping distribute the stuffed toys to more than 70 agencies on Monday morning, Focht is looking forward to visiting the Alberta Children’s Hospital with more donations in hand.

“Going to the hospital and spending time with the kids, it’s really rewarding and we’re all looking forward to it,” said Focht, who will also be ready to start preparing for next weekend’s action come Tuesday. “After a good practice, I think we’re going to be ready for the next three-in-three.”

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